What I see, as a non-scholar, is that Tolkien’s works appeal to a broader range of scholars than Lewis’ do. When I think of a Lewis scholar, I think of a white, male, English-speaking Christian (although I know there are many women as well, such as Diana Glyer). Maybe it’s just because I have more contact with Tolkien scholars, but I know there are many non-Christian Tolkien scholars of both sexes and fans in non-English speaking European countries. I have come across Black female Tolkien fans who are also academics.
I think the demographics of fandom (which I see as one route people take into academia -- Tolkien fandom being especially prone to a lot of analytical/rhetorical discourses!) are connected to the demographics of scholarship although it's complicated. I think that the various areas of fandom may allow for more diversity (especially online fandom, on Tumblr and in other spaces where the younger fans come together) than academia does. I know a few BIPOC Tolkien fans who are in the process of becoming academics--but often not in traditional literary programs. And of course our individual experiences/fanbase are an accurate representation of the larger group. I mean, there are LOTS of "white, male, English-speaking [straight] Christians" in Tolkien studies (some more conservative than others). I have recently met (online) several Tolkien fans in India, and a scholar from Ukraine (although she is currently a refugee in another European country, as a visiting scholar). Tolkien GLOBAL fandom and academia would be fascinating to study, but obviously difficult.
There's also the possible differences between the different universities in the U.S. which have archival materials: Marquette vs. Wheaton. I don't know anything much about the Lewis archives, but the collection at Marquette impressed me because they not only have the primary Tolkien materials but have engaged in a lengthy process of collecting all the published scholarship they can, plus archives of fanzines and teaching materials, all relating to the reception of Tolkien. I've not seen much indication that Lewis scholars are interested in reception studies.
What I see, as a non-scholar, is that Tolkien’s works appeal to a broader range of scholars than Lewis’ do. When I think of a Lewis scholar, I think of a white, male, English-speaking Christian (although I know there are many women as well, such as Diana Glyer). Maybe it’s just because I have more contact with Tolkien scholars, but I know there are many non-Christian Tolkien scholars of both sexes and fans in non-English speaking European countries. I have come across Black female Tolkien fans who are also academics.
I think the demographics of fandom (which I see as one route people take into academia -- Tolkien fandom being especially prone to a lot of analytical/rhetorical discourses!) are connected to the demographics of scholarship although it's complicated. I think that the various areas of fandom may allow for more diversity (especially online fandom, on Tumblr and in other spaces where the younger fans come together) than academia does. I know a few BIPOC Tolkien fans who are in the process of becoming academics--but often not in traditional literary programs. And of course our individual experiences/fanbase are an accurate representation of the larger group. I mean, there are LOTS of "white, male, English-speaking [straight] Christians" in Tolkien studies (some more conservative than others). I have recently met (online) several Tolkien fans in India, and a scholar from Ukraine (although she is currently a refugee in another European country, as a visiting scholar). Tolkien GLOBAL fandom and academia would be fascinating to study, but obviously difficult.
There's also the possible differences between the different universities in the U.S. which have archival materials: Marquette vs. Wheaton. I don't know anything much about the Lewis archives, but the collection at Marquette impressed me because they not only have the primary Tolkien materials but have engaged in a lengthy process of collecting all the published scholarship they can, plus archives of fanzines and teaching materials, all relating to the reception of Tolkien. I've not seen much indication that Lewis scholars are interested in reception studies.